Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Two lessons here:

1. Know when you're outmatched and be ready to run, and

2. Bedding down in a lost/haunted shrine when you've only explored two rooms, with lots of cozy forest outside, is a bad idea.

Next time the allip isn't likely to spend four rounds doing nothing before attacking.

 

[diaglo]

Subtle signs

Thane ran for all he was worth in the direction of home. It wasn't hard finding his trail. Hopefully, the elf or elves wouldn't ambush the lone druid. It was ,however, several hours before the party finally caught sight of him. He was still running with the tapestry flapping over his shoulder.

"Thane," Bartol yelled, "wait for us."

Thane stopped and waited for the party. He argued that he would feel better after reaching home. He had lost touch with his divine sense. He couldn't summon his magic, nor could he string many complex thoughts together. He wanted his mother's advice. Bernedette convinced him to come with the party to the White Hart in Ashabenford. Maybe someone in town could help him. Bernedette took possession of the tapestry.

"What a mess," she said as she threw her hands up in the air. "You desecrated the temple. First with trying to burn it down and then with destroying this tapestry. I only hope this is enough proof for Eliar."

Thane didn't seem to pick up on any of the meaning behind the young girl's rant. Bartol handed him the reins to his horse.

As the light of day broke the party left the Dark Road and the forest. Bartol heard a whistling sound pass near his shoulder. An arrow with a piece of yellow cloth struck a tree the telltale skull and sword sign. Bartol snapped it off and looked back into the woods. No one was there. Alrissian came back with his bow drawn. Thane spurred everyone else on towards Ashabenford.

They rode throughout the day. The horses were near death's door when the party reached the White Hart.

"I'm buying," Bartol offered.

Only Alrissian took him up on the offer. Bernedette left the party in a huff and went to her family home. Thane crawled inside the stable to sleep. And Timmay went to the Temple of Tyr to report on Sir Bradford of Tyr.

Bartol and ALrissian drank and told tales to all those within earshot. The ale flowed freely. And Bartol bought many a round. Their favorite bard stopped by to thank them for the ale.

"Where have you been?" the singer asked.

"On a quest near the Vale of Lost Voices in search of a lost elven temple for Eliar the Advisor of Peldan's Helm," Bartol replied. "Well actually we were just humoring Bernedette. She would agree to do anything for Eliar."

"So I've heard," the singer winked and joined in the joke.

Bartol told their tale again. He showed the arrow and cloth to the bard.

"Meet me at the temple to Chauntea tomorrow," the singer whispered. "I would know more about these elves and your tale, but this is not a good place to discuss it." A little louder he said, "Thanks again for the drink." He then drifted back to the stage and began singing.

Bartol and ALrissian looked at each other and shrugged. They drank late into the night.

 

[diaglo]

Round and round we go

"Oh my head," Bartol said as he woke.

"Morning," Timmay chipperly replied. "I spoke with the priest of Tyr. Where do we go next?"

"Keep it down would you," Alrissian groaned.

"Where's Thane?," Bernedette said as she entered the common room. "He wasn't in the stable. I'll send Amy to find him or K'shar. And just what happened here last night?"

Bartol and Alrissian told of their chance encounter with the bard last night. Well, at least what they could remember of it.

So after eating the party headed to the Temple of Chauntea. It was now near midday. The clergy inside were cleaning up plates from their midday meal.

"You are too late for the repast," one of them said. "May I help you?"

"We're here to see the bard," Bartol blurted out, "I think."

The priest quickly and quietly moved them to the cellar door.

"Do you know your way around?" the priest asked. "He should be down there."

"I've been done there before," Bernedette stated. "I took a look at the Watchful sister's yeast problem."

Timmay fell over laughing. Bartol and Alrissian just snickered.

"What?" Bernedette fumed.

The conversation with the bard was much more serious. Timmay and Bernedette showed Elrand papers and the ring to the bard. He advised the party to seek the Oakfather or the Head Abbot of the Goldensheaf. Bernedette got a message from Amy. Thane was already on the way to the Oakfather. The party thanked the bard and told him they would let him know of anything new as they had to prepare for the journey.

They gathered their things and set off for the Oakgrove. It was late when they arrived. So they were sent to simple rooms to rest. In the morning they discussed with the Oakfather all they had discovered. He in turn told them Thane had already done so. The ring did change his attitude.

"Moander," the Oakfather announced. "But this can not be. He is dead. How much do you know about his portfolio?" The Oakfather then continued to enlighten the party. "I can do no more for you, but wish you luck."

Thane rejoined them. The Head Abbot of the Goldensheaf was his only chance for recovery from the allip's touch.

 

[diaglo]

A quest

They set off for the Goldensheaf.

Again the whole hierarchy was followed. First an acolyte, then passed to a harvestmaster, then so on and so on. At each step the party told a part of their tale. Until they finally sat waiting for the Head Abbot. Hours later they got their audience.

Thane made his plea. And the party showed the ring of Moander.

"I have the power to restore you," the abbot said to Thane. "But we will need a contribution to Chauntea, say 700 gold talents. And you must undergo a quest. Along with the ones you have already promised to undertake."

"Huh?" Bernedette asked.

"I'll tell you later," Bartol whispered.

Thane agreed. He pulled out his pouch and emptied it on the offering plate. Not much came out. Bernedette added some more gold.

"Fine," Bartol grumbled. "I told you to run from the creature. But did you listen to the Wise Bartol. No...." Bartol added another 300 gold talents.

They were still 150gp short.

"I can add 70 more if you add another 80," Timmay said to Bartol. They did.

Thane and the Head Abbot went into a side room to perform the ritual.

"So," Bernedette began, "what other quest?"

"Well, we agreed to find Duergeddin's final forge and lost weapons cache for his heir in Glen," Bartol answered. "Thane also had some secret mission for the Oakfather. Though, I don't know what that entails. And of course, I'm guessing the Abbot means our mission to find the Elven temple. Or he could be talking about the one to Clear the Caves. Or maybe our investigation into Erland. Or the disappearance of the caravans. Or our help with finding the Moander cultists. Or maybe..."

"Okay, okay," Bernedette was looking off into space as she interrupted. "After we deliver this tapestry to Eliar. We will find some magical weapons so we can battle the allip. Eliar says he wants the tapestry."

"Huh?" Bartol queried.

"He just told me so." Bernedette beamed. "And for now I think you, Bartol, should use the elven sword."

Thane returned as good as new. The party set off for Peldan's Helm. It was the first day of Marpenoth. The cold, low light days were fast approaching.

 

[diaglo]

I have returned.

The four day journey was almost uneventful. Almost. On the last day of the trip, the party heard the sound of wolves howling. They had heard rumors about wolves. They pushed their mounts a little to get to the Helm. The wolves got closer. It was now dark and the moon didn't provide much light.

"We aren't going to make it," Bernedette said. "Lets make our stand."

Bartol dismounted. And led his horse to a more defensible spot. He drew the elven longsword and thrust it in the ground. He then set his long spear to receive a charge. He could just make out the wolfpack, four large worgs with hobgoblin riders.

Thane and Bernedette couldn't see them. Bernedette's magical armor coated her once again. Thane did likewise. Alrissian prepared his bow. Timmay called out to Thane when the riders were near. Thane cast his spell to control the tall grasses. One worg was held fast. The rider dismounted. And he too was held. Another rider dismounted. The last two riders spurred on their mounts. The first rider rode by Thane and poked at him with a lance. The other rider struggled thru the tall grass. His mount narrowly missed being spitted on Bartol's spear.

Bartol thrust his spear forward into the worg and drew the elven longsword. Alrissian fired 2 arrows into the riderless worg that wasn't held. The 2 dismounted riders, one held and the other free, fired arrows into Alrissian. Thane flung a magical fire at the held worg. K'shar attacked the worg that had ridden past. The rider was thrown, but he tumbled clear and started to rise. Timmay dazed the poor hobgoblin with magic. Bernedette called for a magical friend.

K'shar's worg attacked the wolverine. Bartol's worg and rider missed as they rode passed. The rider turned around for another pass. Alrissian's worg closed within range. Bartol's temper rose. He turned and ran after the last mounted worg. He swung low and took the front legs off the creature. The rider had to tumble free as his mount died.

"Corellon Larethian is with you," Bernedette yelled.

"Torm be praised," Bartol answered.

Alrissian stepped back and fired another 2 arrows into the worg. The two hobgoblin archers fired again at Alrissian. He and the worg were starting to look like pin cushions. The worg missed with its bite. Thane moved over and cast a spell to aid Alrissian. His body slowly started to mend. Bernedette's summoned wolf bit K'shar's worg. K'shar ripped the throat from the worg. He was uncontrollably raging. The held worg broke free of the grass. Bernedette called for another magical friend. Timmay added insult to injury. He cast another spell on the dazed hobgoblin. The hobgoblin stopped everything. It seemed to be thinking. The other hobgoblin drew his sword and fought with Bartol.

Bartol missed the hobgoblin. Alrissian stepped back again and ended the worg's life. The last worg took a bite at him. The archers fired again. Thane struck the worg. Bernedette's first wolf joined the druid and ranger. K'shar raged on the stunned hobgoblin. Bernedette went after one of the archers. Timmay plugged the other archer with his crossbow. Bernedette's other friend appeared behind Bartol's hobgoblin, but missed with his bite. The hobgoblin grazed Bartol.

Bartol skewered the hobgoblin. He began a search of the bodies. Alrissian missed the worg. The worg fled. Thane finished the held archer with more fire magic. The last hobgoblin threw down his weapon and screamed in hobgoblin. K'shar tried to bite Timmay. Timmay hurried over to translate for Bernedette and get clear of K'shar. Bernedette held her staff menacingly as she waited for Timmay.

Thane finally calmed down K'shar. Bernedette bound the prisoner. And Bartol, Timmay, and Alrissian gathered the spoils.

"Halt who goes there," a familiar voice called. It was Sabine and a small group of guards from the Helm. "We saw some fireworks"

"Tell Wolf," Bartol grinned. "I have returned."

 

[diaglo]

Return to the Keep on the Borderlands

Sabine took possession of the hobgoblin prisoner. The party led their mounts thru the gates of Peldan's Helm. Wilf was happy to see them. Bartol, Alrissian, and Thane settled in for a night of drinking. Timmay and Bernedette went to see Eliar. They turned over the tapestry. It was late when they returned. But not too late for another round.

"Wolf," Bartol called. "Another round. Timmay and Bernedette have arrived."

"Anon," Wilf replied. "Anon, good masters."

The party decided they would interrogate the prisoner in the morning. They also agreed to visit the Caves once again. Wilf arrived with another round of courage. Timmay and Bernedette replayed their conversation with the Advisor.

"Tonight we drink," Bartol started. "For tomorrow we may die."

"Gulp," Wilf swallowed his tongue.

"Not you, WOlf," Bartol said as he struck the innkeep heartily between the shoulder blades. "Torm..."

"Corellon..." Bernedette interrupted.

"Silvanus..." Thane followed.

"Lord help us," Timmay rolled his eyes.

Alrissian just laughed and downed another drink.

 

[diaglo]

update available after this coming Sunday.

see y'all then.

 

[diaglo]

A slight change of plans

Timmay rose early and left a note for Bernedette:

"I've gone to spend some time researching with Eliar. Do not disturb me. I will find you.

Timmay"

As the rest of the party gathered for their morning breakfast, they were pleasantly surprised to find Erik in the Common room.

"Torm be praised," Bartol said. "It is good to see you again friend."

"And you also," Erik replied.

They quickly retold their stories. Bartol droned on and on about the monsters slain. Erik always a man of few words stated simply he was once again free to adventure. He had just arrived with the latest caravan of supplies for the Helm. Thane presented Erik with the Fat Cleric's armor. Bernedette was not herself. Or maybe she was more herself, very despondent. Alrissian had once again left the party to deliver a letter to the elves. This one was from Eliar.

"Our first order of business this morning," Thane told Erik,"is to question our hobgoblin prisoner from last night."

Jadaele, the guard captain, piped in from a nearby table, "right, I'll take you to him."

"We will need someone to interpret," Bernedette mentioned as they followed. "Timmay is busy."

"I'll send for Eliar," Jadaele responded.

The hobgoblin was chained to the wall. He seemed very defiant. The party waited for Eliar. Bartol pulled on his thick gloves and stepped forward menacingly. The hobgoblin blanched.

Thane pulled out a tattooing kit. The tools were very painful looking. He lit a brazier.

"I'll not be a party to this," Eliar stated as he arrived. He pulled a scroll from his robes and touched everyone inside the jail.

Thane winked at him. "We can handle it from here."

Eliar left. With the magic from the scroll all of the hobgoblin's babbling now made sense. Thane casually put one sharp-looking arrowhead in the brazier. The hobgoblin soiled itself. It spoke freely of its mission. Greck, the hobgoblin chieftain from the Caves had left the area around Peldan's Helm. Upon returning to the Clanhold in the Thunder Peaks, a place known as Mug's Teeth, he lost face. To restore face he had to make an example of the party. Bernedette was the object of the worg riders' mission. They had travelled or waited for 10 days for the caller to return to Peldan's Helm. Their war party was larger originally. But they had lost members in their travels. The hobgoblin begged for freedom. In exchange for taking the party to the Clanhold, the party agreed to release him.

"Well," Thane said to Jadaele, "we found out what we wanted to know. If you need anything more he's all yours." The party left to go shopping for mountaineering supplies. They also stopped in on Reese the Cobbler for a map and any useful information. Later that evening Thane returned to the jail and healed the hobgoblin, so it was fit enough for travel.

 

[diaglo]

Deeper into the wilds

Bartol spent quite a bit of his money. He bought a pair of metal gauntlets with a locking mechanism, a grapnel, replacement supplies for his healing kit, and other odds and ends. He also bought 10 rods of light. Thane, Bernedette, and Erik also fitted themselves with supplies. Bernedette turned down the offer of a fine set of woman's chain mail underthings.

The next day, Sabine met them at the gate with the hobgoblin. The creature was stripped down to a loincloth and shackles.

"Shall I send word to yer next of kin," she joked.

"See you in a month or so," Bartol replied. "Tell Timmay where to find us."

They set off for the Thunder Peaks. The going was easy. They soon passed the area that led to the Caves. The hobgoblin pointed to the normal trail. So they bypassed the Caves.

Bartol and Thane provided for the party from the game along the trail. Each evening they spiked the hobgoblin to the ground. Nothing unusual bothered the party for the first 3 days.

On the morning of the 4th day, K'shar warned Thane of watchers. For nearly 2 more hours the party felt their presence. Finally Thane spied one and called out in Common.

"Hello," the druid said. "We mean no harm."

A large spotted dog came out from behind a tree. It tilted its head as if it understood the party.

"A Kooshee," Bernedette squealed with glee. In elven she asked, "Are you alone?"

"No," came a voice also in elven from above. Four slender figures soon appeared.

"Hail my brothers," Bartol called in Elven.

"Come quickly," the lead Elf said, "we must away. We will talk when it is safe."

Some crashing could be heard nearby. Bartol, Bernedette, and Erik followed the elves. Thane and K'shar held back.

Another 3 elves hurried by Thane. They looked at him and shrugged but kept moving.

 

[diaglo]

Curiosity killed the wolverine

Thane ducked behind a tree with K'shar. The crashing sounds got closer. When curiosity could no longer be contained he peered out from his position. Five feet away stood a mammoth of a creature. A true giant. The monster was all in furs and carried a stone club. It was over 3 times Thane's height. Unfortunately for Thane they saw each other at the same time. Thane moved back and tried to cast a spell. Too late.

The hungry being reached down and grabbed the druid. He began to squeeze him as he lifted. K'shar attacked the monsters feet. The wolverine couldn't penetrate the furs. The giant swatted the wolverine. Turning K'Shar into paste. He again squeezed Thane. Thane yelled for help.

The lead elf turned to his men and smacked his forehead. Everyone turned around and sprinted back to Thane. Thane was several hundred yards away.

The giant looked at Thane, looked at the wolverine, and made a decision. He tossed Thane to the ground and picked up the wolverine paste. Thane recovered his footing. He pulled his cudgel and moved to the giant's feet.

"Let him go," Thane screamed.

The giant back handed Thane knocking him unconscious and turned to leave.

The elves, Erik, Bernedette, and Bartol fired a volley of arrows and bolts. Some struck the giant, but it didn't seem to care. The giant took a bite out of the wolverine in its hand and strode off into the woods.

"Come," the lead elf said again. "Grab your friend and lets go before he finishes that meal and comes looking for more."

Bernedette poured a potion into Thane's mouth. The party and the elves left in a hurry.